Caregiver Support Services

Dementia Friendly Bergen County

Mission:

The Bergen County Dementia Friendly Initiative aims to build inclusive communities for people living with dementia and their care partners through improved opportunities for meaningful social interaction and community awareness, education, and training.

Who we are:

Bergen County Dementia Friendly Initiative is a diverse group of community members and organizations committed to improving accessibility and inclusion for people living with and impacted by dementia.

What We Do:

We work to raise awareness, reduce stigma, educate the public, train service providers, and connect community members with available programs and services.

Why it Matters:

  • NJ has the 6th highest rate of Alzheimer’s in the U.S.
  • More than 20,000 seniors in Bergen County have some form of dementia.
  • Most people with dementia live and work in the community.
  • Stigma surrounding dementia prevents people from getting the help they need.
  • People don’t know where to go for help.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term that includes many diagnoses that include memory loss or a decline in cognitive ability. Daily tasks may become challenging due to dementia symptoms, resulting in frustration and isolation.

Behaviors to Look For:

  • Wandering or appearing lost or disoriented.
  • Struggling to communicate.
  • Difficulty with financial transactions, leaving without paying.
  • Confusion or poor judgement.

Communication Tips:

  • Smile and make eye contact.
  • Be patient: allow individuals time to respond and be prepared to repeat yourself.
  • Speak slowly, use simple sentences.
  • Be specific when referring to a person or object.
  • Ask one question at a time and try to use questions with Yes/No answers.
  • If you can, contact the person’s friend or family to help.
  • Avoid arguing, instead redirect.

Get Educated! Learn more about dementia or become a dementia friend:

Resource Guide

The organizations listed below provide direct services and resources for people living with dementia and caregivers.  If you would like assistance in deciding which agency has the information or services you need, please call:

  • Dementia Friendly Bergen County 201-336-7403

Act Now Foundation: Dementia Resource Center

  • (201) 721-6721
  • info@actnowfoundation.org
  • Free services for Bergen County residents include cognitive assessments, support groups, long term care planning, education seminars, advocacy and outreach.
  • Support groups available. Call or email to register for a support group.
  • actnowfoundation.org

Alzheimer’s NJ

  • (888) 280-6055 (24/7 Helpline)
  • Education, care consultations, family support groups, respite care, clinical trial connection program.
  • Support groups available: For information on support groups call or visit Support group Information
  • https://www.alznj.org

Alzheimer’s Association

  • (800) 272-3900 (24/7Helpline)
  • Providing quality care and support for people living with dementia and caregivers through accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support through education, resources, advocacy and support groups.
  • To find a support group near you, call or visit Alzheimer’s Association Support group locator
  • https://act.alz.org

Alzheimer’s Association of Greater New Jersey.

  • 800-272-3900 (24/7 Helpline)
  • From Newark to Jersey City to Paterson and every town in between, your local Greater New Jersey Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is here to help.
  • https://www.alz.org/nj

Caregiver support services include respite care programs, caregiver education, support groups, and more.

Alzheimer’s NJ: The Respite Care and Wellness Program

In-Home Caregiver Education & Support Program, available through Bergen County Division of Disability Services

New Jersey Statewide Respite Care Program, available through Bergen County Division of Disability Services

  • (201) 336-6511
  • Provides short-term relief to family or other caregivers from the demands of daily care for functionally impaired persons. Relief services include home health aides, medical or social adult day care, short-term inpatient care, camp, assisted living, and skilled nursing to caregivers.
  • Call to inquire about eligibility requirements.
  • https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/doas/services/q-z/srcp/

Bergen County Division of Senior Services: Caregiver Coalition

Bergen County Division of Senior Services: Dementia Friendly Initiative

Bergen Family Center

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center: Long-Term Care Division Caregiver Support Services

  • (201) 967-4073
  • 230 East Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus, NJ 07452
  • Provides temporary residential care (beds) for a minimum of 3 days and up to 30 days. Meals are provided, as well as round-the-clock nursing care. Must complete application. Call to inquire about fees and/or to visit the facility. Medicaid and private pay.
  • https://www.newbridgehealth.org/health-services/long-term-care/respite/

Care2Caregivers

  • (800) 424-2494 (24/7 Helpline)
  • Professionally trained peer counselors with firsthand caregiving experience.
  • Provides peer support, counseling, and guidance on coping with a loved one with dementia.
  • Education and support groups also available
  • https://care2caregivers.com/

Jewish Family & Children’s Services: Wolff Caregiver Center

Jewish Home Family: Caregiver Support Group and Respite Care Services

  • (201) 784-1414
  • 10 Link Drive, Rockleigh, NJ 07647
  • Caregiver support groups to address the emotional and practical issues of caring for a loved one in a supportive atmosphere.
  • For information on Respite Care
  • https://www.jewishhomefamily.org/

Kaplen JCC on the Palisades: Caregiver Support Groups

Vantage Health System, Inc

Bergen County Division of Senior Services – Senior Helpline

  • (201) 336-7400 (M-F 8am to 4:30pm)
  • Information on services, screening and application assistance for publicly funded long term care programs. Call us to learn more about care management screening and referrals for programs including:
    • Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC)
    • Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS)
    • Meals on Wheels
  • https://bergencountynj.gov/division-of-senior-services/

In-Home Physician Services: Please note, Bergen County does not expressly endorse and is not directly affiliated with the following listed agencies or organizations. 

Community House Call Providers

  • 201-536-9000
  • Provides medical care to patients who have difficulty getting out of their homes. Nurse practitioners make house calls under a physician’s supervision. Medicare covers 80% of the cost. Serving Bergen, Hudson, Essex Counties.
  • https://communityhousecallproviders.org/

Dispatch Health: Urgent care house calls

Osler at Home

  • 201-426-6554
  • Provides medical care to patients who have difficulty getting out of their homes.
  • https://oslerathome.com/

Visiting Physician Services

Friendly Visitors/ Telephone Reassurance

Bergen County Wellness Check Program

  • 201-336-7400
  • Free, automated phone call service through Bergen County Division of Senior Services.

Bridgebuilders HOME FRIENDS

  • 201-460-1600
  • In-home support services e.g. companionship; escort for shopping, errands, transportation needs, medical appointments, senior center visits, telephone contact; modified respire care; light household chores; light meal preparation; arranging doctor appointments.

CHEER Program

  • 201-489-9454 x203
  • Friendly callers, help with shopping, errands, light housekeeping, etc.

Jewish Family & Children Services of Northern NJ

  • 201-837-9090
  • Friendly visitor and telephone reassurance call programs.
  • www.jfcsnnj.org/

Neighborcare: Telephone Network

  • 201-491-333
  • 201-444-0810
  • Friendly callers help restore balances and improve the morale of incapacitated or lonely individuals through regular social contact. Service available for northwest Bergen County.

Check with your local municipality for additional wellness check programs near you.

Dial 911 for Emergencies

Adult Protective Services

  • 201-368-4300 office
  • 800-624-0275 (afterhours hotline)
  • Investigation and assessment, ongoing risk assessment and case management of adults determined to be unable to act in their own best interest or in need of protection due to disability, frailty of age, or situations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
  • bcbss.com/adult-protective-services/

262 HELP – 24/7 Psychiatric Emergency Help

  • (201) 262-HELP (4357)
  • 610 Valley Health Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
  • Crisis helpline for mental health emergencies including when a person becomes a danger to themselves or others.
  • Provides onsite, emergency psychiatric screenings in Bergen County 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
  • https://careplusnj.org/crisis-centers-careplus-new-jersey/

Northeast NJ Legal Services

  • (973) 523-2900
  • A private non-profit public interest law firm that provides free legal help in civil (non-criminal) matters to underserved individuals and families in four core areas of civil law—housing, consumer, family, and public benefits.
  • https://www.northeastnjlegalservices.org

Disability Rights NJ/NJ Protection & Advocacy (NJP&A)

  • (800) 922-7233
  • New Jersey’s designated Protection and Advocacy agency under federal law. We advance the human, civil, and legal rights of people with disabilities and promote their self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration into all facets of community life.
  • Disabilityrightsnj.org/who-we-are/

AngelSense Bergen County Sheriff’s Office

  • 201-336-3540 – Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Community Outreach Unit
  • A wearable safety device that provides real time monitoring, mapping, alerts, via an App on your phone or device.  Program can be linked to the Bergen County Sheriff’s office to notify first responders if necessary. 
  • https://bcsd.us/images/pdf/Angel_Sense.pdf

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center

  • (201) 967-4000
  • Not-for- profit safety net facility providing a wide range of comprehensive acute and long-term health care services.
  • https://www.newbridgehealth.org/

Englewood Hospital

Hackensack Meridian Health

Hackensack University Medical Center – Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health

Holy Name

Rutgers University – Aging and Brain Health Alliance

  • (973) 353-3673
  • memory@rutgers.edu
  • Expanding understanding of aging, brain health, and the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Focus on populations with elevated risk for dementia, especially African Americans, who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease at over twice the rate of the general population.
  • https://brainhealth.rutgers.edu/

The Clinical Research Center of NJ (CRCNJ)

  • 201-850-4622 Ridgewood location
  • 973-850-4622 Springfield location
  • The CRCNJ is a select clinical trial site, providing diagnostic, treatment, and supportive resources to people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and fatty liver disease through clinical research opportunities. There is no cost to utilize services and insurance is not necessary.
  • Thecrcnj.com

Valley Hospital

  • 800-VALLEY-1
  • The Valley Hospital is a fully accredited, acute-care, not-for-profit hospital serving more than 440,000 people in 32 towns in Bergen County and adjoining communities.
  • https://www.valleyhealth.com/valley-hospital

Alzheimer’s Association:

  • (800) 272-3900 (24/7 Helpline)
  • https://act.alz.org
  • Talk with specialists and clinicians 24/7 by phone

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America:

Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration

Dementia Friendly America

Lewy Body Dementia Association

Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center

National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities

Well Spouse Association

  • This site provides support for spousal caregivers including support groups, online chat forums, resources, and personal stories about caring for a loved one.
  • https://wellspouse.org

Dementia Friendly Library Program

Dementia Friendly Bergen County is partnering with local libraries to provide staff training, books, memory kits, and resources for people living with dementia and caregivers. Check out Dementia Friendly Libraries near you. Participating libraries include:

Training and Education

Is your business or organization interested in becoming Dementia Friendly? Contact DFBC to schedule free training to better recognize and assist people living with dementia or cognitive impairment.

We offer in-person or virtual training tailored to your organization’s needs.

To learn more about training and education opportunities contact us at

Contact Us

Lorraine Joewono

Director
Phone: 201-336-7400 • Fax: 201-336-7424
Email Senior Services

Bergen County Department of Human Services

One Bergen County Plaza • 2nd Floor • Hackensack, NJ 07601-7076
Phone: 201-336-7474 • Fax: 201-336-7450
Hours: 8:30 am – 8:30 pm (varies by division)